Vol. 534 No. 4
53 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the discussions she has had with the Irish Film Board and other representatives of the film industry regarding the consequences of the measures to combat foot and mouth disease on film production and the film industry, particularly in regard to employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10689/01]
66 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the discussions she has had with the Irish Film Board and other representatives of the film industry regarding the consequences for the industry, particularly on employment, of the measures to combat foot and mouth disease; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10616/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 66 together.
The Irish Film Board, which is an agency under the aegis of my Department, has been instructed by my Department to adhere to the conditions laid down by the official expert group on foot and mouth disease in this context. I am satisfied that the board has taken all the necessary precautions laid down by this expert group.
The consequences of the measures to prevent the spread of the disease are at present not possible to quantify as the duration of these measures will depend upon national and international progress in containing the outbreak. While I have received representations regarding problems of access for filming purposes, the Deputy will appreciate that I am obliged to uphold the guidelines as laid down by the expert group. Within those guidelines, every effort is being made to facilitate production needs.
